Sample Assignment
Open Letter
Assignment: For English 103 Courses (Writing about Writing, Writing for Health Science, Writing about Borders)
First Major Writing Assignment: Generally 10% of the the overall grade
Goals: Identify audience, create argument, learn MLA format and how to support argument with evidence.
Assignment is presented as follows after "Pick a Side" Activity in class:
"This Open Letter is a letter where the writer will attempt to convince an audience to change their mind about a specific subject. Address the letter to someone you know, to a political figure, or related organization and take a firm stance on a topic related to the chosen audience.
This will be a (minimum of) 500-word Open Letter, which uses two outside sources, properly referenced in MLA format, to support the argument. Though addressed to a specific person, it should be aimed at a broader audience to create a point.
"This Open Letter is a letter where the writer will attempt to convince an audience to change their mind about a specific subject. Address the letter to someone you know, to a political figure, or related organization and take a firm stance on a topic related to the chosen audience.
This will be a (minimum of) 500-word Open Letter, which uses two outside sources, properly referenced in MLA format, to support the argument. Though addressed to a specific person, it should be aimed at a broader audience to create a point.
- First Draft Due – Due (the first Wednesday) at the beginning of class time. The requirement for the first draft is a page worth of work. Whether it be an introduction and summarized points of research, or a big chunk in the middle with no introduction or conclusion, it is up to the writer to decide.
- Second Draft Due – Due (one week later) at the beginning of class time. This needs to be a near completed, improved draft from the first. Even if there was a near completed version for the first draft, there needs to be work done per suggestions of your peers.
- Third Draft Due –Due (that Sunday) by 11:59 pm. This is the draft that you feel comfortable enough to turn into me for grading. There will be an opportunity to edit the piece in the future for a better grade."